El Empalme (known officially as Velasco Ibarra) is a town in Guayas, Ecuador, near Los Ríos and Manabí provinces.

As of the census of 2001, there were 64,789 people residing within canton limits.

The city takes its official name from the Ecuadorian ex-president José María Velasco Ibarra.

It has good road connection with Balzar.

Rice, platano, cacao, and coffee are the main products.